Liverpool FC
Southampton FC
Southampton FC
Liverpool in must-win territory against Southampton to claim European spot with five games remaining
Liverpool to win 3-1
Liverpool haven’t played a game of football two weeks after their match against Manchester United was postponed last weekend due to supporter protests.
It means that they have a game in hand on some of the teams above them, although it still appears unlikely that Liverpool can catch Chelsea in 4th place, not with the London side playing so well currently.
Their best hope is to claim a Europa League space, although this would be seen as a disappointing by the standards they have set themselves over previous seasons. Their form is good coming into this game however with three wins and two draws from the last five.
Southampton will be wanting the season to end as quickly as possible. With a 10 point gap to relegation, they are almost officially safe, however they have been struggling for wins of late, with only three coming in 2021 so far.
Form Guide (all comps): LWDDD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Unbeaten in last five league games
Can move ahead of Spurs with a win
Reasons to be fearful:
Lost to Southampton earlier in the season
Just one win from last five in all competitions
Liverpool had their charge towards the top four halted last weekend as their game with Man United was postponed, although in truth need plenty of other teams’ results to go their way in order to move up the table.
Against Southampton, Liverpool suffered a shock defeat back in January which was the start of a dreadful run of form for last season’s champions. Their form at home against the Saints however, is excellent, going unbeaten in the last seven meetings at Anfield.
Liverpool haven’t been playing brilliantly recently, hence their two draws against bottom half teams Leeds and Newcastle, but will fancy their chances of returning to winning form here.
There are a number of unnamed players suffered from injury concerns who could miss out here.
Star Man – Mo Salah
Regardless of Liverpool’s struggles this season, the Egyptian has been in top form throughout and needs one more goal for 30 this campaign.
Form Guide (all comps): WLLLD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Beat Liverpool earlier this season
Their opponents could have their focus elsewhere
Reasons to be fearful:
Danny Ings missing for the remainder of the season
Have earned the fewest points in the league so far in 2021
Southampton’s awful second half of the season is almost at an end with just five games to play until their season comes to a close.
To put into perspective just how poor they have been, they have earned just 11 points since the turn of the year and conceded 40 goals, both of which are the worst in the Premier League.
Now with Danny Ings likely to be out for the remainder of the season, Southampton’s chance of causing teams too many problems going forward are slim.
The Saints have lost eight of their last nine away games, and it’s hard to see them breaking the trend this weekend, even with a Liverpool side not playing at their best.
Star Man – James Ward-Prowse
The Saints midfielder keeps popping up with important goals this season and is a key player especially without Danny Ings.
Salah likely to score
Liverpool to score two or more goals
Can Saints create one or two chances?
The good news for the Saints defence is that Vestergaard is available to play after his red card last weekend has been overturned.
The bad news is that Liverpool forward has seven goals in seven appearances against Southampton, and in his current form is likely to get on the scoresheet once again here.
Southampton surprised Liverpool in their first meeting of the season, but that’s unlikely to repeat itself here.
Liverpool to win 3-1
